Gulf Shores and Orange Beach properties belonging to former NASCAR team owner to be sold

This Sunset Bay home is one of the Gulf properties being sold by the National Auction Group.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A collection of waterfront properties in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach owned by the founder of the Checkers restaurant chain will be sold at auction on May 23, the auction company handling the sale announced.

The properties, including one 49-acre parcel with 2,750 feet of Intercoastal Waterway frontage, will be sold by Gadsden-based The National Auction Group. The properties are owned by Jim Mattei, who founded the Checkers restaurant chain and later owned a Winston Cup race team.

The properties for sale include:

-- More than 12 acres with 1,115 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores and a marina permit for 51 boat slips. The property is less than one mile from Lulu's restaurant. The property will be sold in tracts and in an absolute auction, meaning regardless of price.

-- The Point in Gulf Shores, with 49 acres and about 2,750 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway and Oyster Bay. It has resort zoning and U.S. Corps of Engineers permits for 143 boat slips and 1,500 residential units.

-- A fully-furnished Sunset Bay home with a deeded 46-foot by 20-foot boat slip, in an absolute auction. The home is in a gated community on Plash Island,with 50 feet of water frontage.

-- An adjoining lot with a 46-foot by 13.5-foot boat slip, also selling absolute. It's in the gated Sunset Bay community with amenities including a clubhouse, pool and marina.

-- Also selling absolute in Gulf Shores are two adjacent commercial lots in a proposed entertainment and shopping district a block from Lulu's.

-- A 3.8 acre Canal Road property in Orange Beach with 1,343 feet of Intracoastal Waterway frontage. It is about a mile from The Wharf entertainment area.

The sale will be at 3 p.m. on May 23 at the Wharf Convention Center, 4550 Main Street in Orange Beach.